Thursday Thirteen: 13 Things I Love About Israel

The situation in Israel and Gaza is so difficult and painful right now. In solidarity with and support of Israel, I decided to dedicate a Thursday Thirteen post to the State and People of Israel.

13 Things I Love about Israel:

1. Landing at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport, walking off of the El Al airplane, and knowing that I am standing on holy ground. There is nothing like that first moment back in the country.
2. My first falafel sandwich in Jerusalem. Yes, I eat Middle Eastern food the rest of the time, but nothing ever tastes quite as good as the falafel in Jerusalem.
3. A visit to the Western Wall, in Jerusalem's Old City. I walk up to the wall, knowing that myriads have stood there before me, and I gently lay my forehead onto the cool bricks. I feel closer to God there, and I feel that my prayers reach God differently as I stand at the holy site.
   
4. Laying on the beach in Tel Aviv. You rent a lounge chair, set up an umbrella, and soak in the rays on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea. There is nothing like the feeling of the sun in the Middle East - I got freckles there for the first time (I know, not necessarily a good thing).
   
5. Visiting the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, especially the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit. The Israel Museum contains a beautiful mix of antiquities, art, sculpture, history, and fun. I try to visit every time I am in the country.
6. I love putting on my sandals and my bathing-suit, then slowly walking into the healing waters of the Dead Sea. The deepest part of the Dead Sea is over 2300 feet below sea level! Why is it called the Dead Sea? Well, the water is so high in salt and minerals that virtually nothing can survive in it. It is not deadly to us, though, if we want to float in it and enjoy the minerals and mud!
   
7. There are few places as incredible as Masada, a desert fortress atop a mountain near the Dead Sea. According to legend, a Jewish community fled from Roman conquerors around the year 70 CE to the top of the mountain, survived for a short time, then decided to commit suicide rather than be captured. Though the story is bleak, the site now represents survival and bravery. Many Jewish teens climb the mountain in the middle of the night, and then watch the sunrise from the top.
   
8. There is a great water park (yeah, I love these things) in Tiberias, right on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Hof Gai, as the park is called, is one of many fun places to visit in the city of Tiberias. Tiberias is a holy site to both Jews and Christians, and there is much to do there. But, yes, I love the water park!
9. I love taking my time on Saturday afternoons, part of the Jewish sabbath. In Israel, for some reason, I am able to observe Shabbat more easily. I find it easier to take the time I need for myself, for friends and family, and for a closer connection with the Divine all around me. My friends and I used to go to a park, bring a picnic and a frisbee, and we would spend the whole day playing, resting, and chatting. What could be better?
10. Wanna have the best milkshake in your life? Visit Yotvata, a restaurant in Tel Aviv that carries, by far, the best dairy products you will ever taste. Kibbutz Yotvata, in the Negev Desert, sells its dairy all over the country, but dining at the restaurant provides a fun way to enjoy it. Once seated, everyone gets a free taste of the fruit smoothie of your choice. Once you taste it, there is no going back! Ice cream, milkshakes, cheese - nothing compares anywhere else in the world.
    
11. As difficult as a visit is, I find it crucial to visit Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust memorial museum. Nearly every step is gut-wrenching, and you find yourself near tears throughout, but you are also inspired by tales of bravery, courage, and endurance. Somehow, the Jewish people survived, and visitors to Yad Vashem exit the museum and find themselves standing overlooking a lush, green Jerusalem forest. There are, indeed, miracles.
12. Deep in the Old City, in Jerusalem, is one of my most favorite sites: the Arab Shuk. Through twisting sidewalks and alleys, you wander through shops and storefronts of every shape, size, and scent. You can find pretty much anything on these streets, you can make new friends, eat delicious foods, get invited for tea, or get a GREAT bargain. Some of my most beloved scarves and jewelry pieces are from my excursions to the Arab Shuk.
13. Last, but certainly not least, I love that Israel is my home. I knew it the very first moment I landed there - my soul was returning to its source. There are parts of my heart that are forever in the East, in Jerusalem, with my Israeli brothers and sisters.

And, you? If you have been there, what do you love? If you haven't, what do you most wish to see?

Thursday Thirteen - Worst First Date Foods

Time for my second go at a "Thursday Thirteen" countdown. It is a very fun meme that leaves all the creativity up to you!

Last time, I shared my thirteen favorite musical artists. This time, I want to share a list that I have been talking about (and laughing about) for most of my life - the worst foods to eat on a first date. Since I have re-entered the dating world, I have begun to remember many of these foods, as well as their potential date-ruining qualities. By the way, this list applies to men, women, heterosexual or homosexual. I see these as universally prohibited. Feel free to let me know what you think!

1. Tacos - not only do they give you bad breath, but the insides drop all over your shirt
   
2. Spaghetti, Linguini, or any messy pasta
3. A big bowl of Udon Soup - slurping up those noodles could destroy any date
4. Falafel sandwich - there is no way to eat this without it falling apart, and all over yourself.
   
5. Big pieces of maki - small rolls are okay, but anything that requires two bites, or stuffing the whole thing into your mouth, is not recommended.
   
6. Anything cooked in fresh garlic - this will be haunting you all night, and no amount of gum or mints will help.
7. Fresh onions on a sandwich - same as above. However, if both parties partake of the onion, it may indeed cancel itself out.
   
8. Refried beans, black beans, chili, etc. - I don't know about you, but these make me so bloated that I would probably be worried about an embarrassing situation all night.
9. Corn on the cob - between the juicy eating, the dripping down your wrists, the pieces getting stuck in your teeth, and the subsequent tooth-picking, this is just a big no-no.
   
10. Beef ribs- pork ribs, which I no longer eat, are at least a little more manageable. However, beef ribs are ALWAYS messy. They coat your face in BBQ sauce, and even if you cut them up, they still wreak havoc on your face and clothing.
    
11. Ethiopian food - this is so much fun for a later date, but first date? Eating with your hands is probably not a good idea. Plus, there is no way to wash the food out from under your nails for a few days.
    
12. Milkshakes - for those of us who are lactose-intolerant, this would make our tummies too upset to have a good time.
13. Too Much Alcohol - please don't drink too much, do something that you would regret, or lose control. Much better to enjoy the moment with a clear head.
    

Well, what am I missing?

Thursday Thirteen - 13 Musical Artists

Dear Friends, Shalom! I am going to participate, for the first time, in Thursday Thirteen. I have enjoyed reading some of your Thursday Thirteen posts for some time now, and decided to give it a go.

Figured I would start with a fun one:

Thirteen Musical Artists I Can't Live Without!

1. Duran Duran - still making incredibly exciting, moving music after all these years. I still find myself getting a visceral reaction every time I hear "Ordinary World" or "Hungry Like the Wolf." My friends and I saw them when I was in High School, and memories of Simon Le Bon crawling on the stage in a silver lame suit still make my heart flutter.
   
2. Colin Hay - I've mentioned my love for his music before. If you haven't had a chance to check out his solo work (he was the lead singer of Men at Work), you are missing out on moving, amusing, heartbreaking, and beautiful acoustic work. "Waiting for My Real Life to Begin."
   
3. Sarah McLachlan - I celebrate her entire catalog. No singer is so consistently wonderful, in my humble opinion. She is one of those artists that I can put on, listen to the entire CD, and enjoy every moment. "Elsewhere" is my long time favorite.
   
4. Robbie Williams - What an underrated artist! He is HUGE in the UK, yet a minor star here in the US. His music has passion, a sense of humor, so much sexuality, and immense talent. I love me some Robbie. Saw him live at a taping of CARSON DALY. "Feel" and "Road to Mandalay" are current favorites.
   
5. Dave Matthews Band - I've seen them perform at least five times (including their enormous Central Park Concert a few years ago). While their more recent albums have disappointed me, I really love their first few records. Put those on, relax, sing along, and feel at home. "Two Step" makes me wild with joy.
   
6. Barenaked Ladies - I really began enjoying their music towards the end of high school and early in college. They seem like such genuinely nice, talented guys, and I love the way that they incorporate love, humor, silliness, and profundity all in the same song. I saw them perform, for free, in Boston while I was in college. It was raining, and so the Mac N' Cheese that the audience threw around got mushy and messy. Yet, we loved every minute! "Pinch Me" is my most favorite.
7. Erasure - Give me some happy, dancing men any day, and I shall be at peace. I have been a fan for a LONG time, thanks to my best friend, Jessica, introducing their music to me in elementary school. They still put out amazing albums, and have a unique sound. "Always" is still my most favorite song of theirs.
   
8. George Michael - His voice is like butter, as far as I am concerned. He is capable of singing so many different styles and emotions, and so many songs are classics. "As," his duet with Mary J. Blige, remains my favorite.
   
9. Indigo Girls - My overnight camp experiences would have been so different without their songs to sing around the campfire. The heartache and wonderment in their songs always helps me better understand something in my life that I couldn't, personally, articulate. My friends and I saw them live in High School, and we danced around the outdoor theater during each song. "Galileo," their ode to reincarnation, is true brilliance.
   
10. Moldy Peaches - Okay, so I only just discovered this sweet band, thanks to the JUNO soundtrack, but I am HOOKED! I downloaded every possible song off of iTunes, including the solo work of Kimya Dawson and Adam Green, and feel like I am entering a new world of honesty, love, and simplicity. I can't stop listening to "Tire Swing."
    
11. Madonna - What can I say? From my childhood filled with lace gloves, big charm necklaces, and torn jeans, to the mystical dance tunes playing on my iPod today, I have always been a fan of her music. Notice that I specify MUSIC - she, as a person, drives me crazy. "Dear Jesse" and "Don't Tell Me" are currently my favorite songs.
    
12. Metallica - Throwing you for a loop here, I'll bet. There is a sweet, little, Jewish headbanger deep inside of me. In fact, I saw Metallica perform live in Tel Aviv when I lived in Israel. One of the coolest moments? When James Hetfield shouted, "Shalom, Motherf**kers!" Have those two words ever before or since been muttered together??? "Nothing Else Matters" is still a necessity.
13. R.E.M. - Last, but certainly not least, I love R.E.M. I saw them in concert while I was in High School, and I remember so many moments from it, even now. Their lyrics are smart, the songs are brilliantly put together, and Michael Stipe seems like such a good person. "Near Wild Heaven" is one of my favorite songs of theirs.
    

Well, I can't believe that I have already listed 13 artists. There are plenty more favorites, but we will stop there for now.

I can't wait to hear your reactions and your favorites.

Have a great day!!